The players of Once Caldas, after their defeat in the South American Cup.
Photo: EFE – Mauricio Dueñas Castañeda
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Santa Fe, Nacional, Once Caldas and Bucaramanga were eliminated in the definition of penalties in international tournaments. Four teams that could not be sustained at the decisive moment. Once Caldas exemplified it dramatically: after taking an advantage of two goals in the first leg, the players celebrated the way to the stadium to play the second leg, dancing on the roof of the bus as if the classification were secured. In the return the defeat came: wear and deconcentration did the rest.
Why are we like that? It is not just physical or talent issue: we lack mental intensity, ability to endure the pressure until the end, of not trusting us early. There are sociological explanations that help to understand it. We are a tropical country, yes, where the emotional emerges strongly; where the party and the early celebration have a large weight in the culture. But that cannot be an excuse: other countries with similar contexts are doing better.
Ecuador is a good close example. In this century, clubs such as Quito and Independiente del Valle League have accumulated several continental titles: League of Quito won the Copa Libertadores (2008), the South American Cup (2009 and 2023) and the South American Recop that goes from the 21st century.
In Colombia, the list is much shorter. Atlético Nacional won the Copa Libertadores in 2016 and the Recopa in 2017; Santa Fe obtained the South American in 2015. Nothing more. The amount, continuity and consistency of Ecuador in the end and continental titles exceed ours in these years.
The difference is also seen in the absolute selections. In the 21st century, Ecuador has played four major World Cups: 2002, 2006, 2014 and 2022. Colombia, only two: 2014 and 2018. They, with less population and a more recent soccer tradition, have had more international presence than us at this time.
We have the technique, the physique too. What we need is to learn to sustain ourselves mentally when everything becomes difficult, when pressure squeezes, when the scenario demands absolute concentration. Criminal defeats are not only bad luck or failed aim: many times they are weak mental lapses, intensity falls, lack of internal leadership that remember that the advantage is not assured until the final whistle sounds.
If we want to stop repeating frustrating scenes such as celebrating on the bus ahead of time, the difference is not going to mark a better player or a faster physicist. They are taken out by those who have their heads on the game until the last minute.
We have what to compete, we have history, swollen and talent. But if we do not evict deconcentration, self -complacency and disdain at critical moments, we will continue to stay to the shore. It is time to work on that with decision and perseverance. The mental is not the accessory: it is the dividing line between those who win and those who stay dreaming.
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